Lighting fixture



ug. 20, 1968 H, A, J, DE vos ET AL LIGHTING FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July l5, 1966 -"lll IIIIBI l S o M WH sdm? R OJT W. .MAY C N EK O WamS T IDW. M

Aug. 20, 1968 H A, 1 DE V05 ET AL 3,398,270

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed July 15, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I mvENToRs '2 HENoRlK A. .1. aevos MlxLos GY ToTH BY a f ATTORNE United States Patent O 3,398,270 LIGHTING FIXTURE Henrik, A. J. de Vos, Wenham, and Miklos Gy Toth, Peabody, Mass., assiguors to Sylvania Electric Products Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 15, 1966, Ser. No. 565,540 2 Claims. (Cl. 240-3) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lighting fixture in which the housing has an offset hinge for supporting different reectors and providing clearance for lamps of different lengths and in which the housing has alternative mounting positions for supporting a lamp socket therein.

This invention relates to lighting fixtures and more particularly to oodlight lighting fixtures designed particularly for outdoor applications.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of applications for outdoor floodlighting. To a great extent this had led to the development of a large number of lighting fixtures, each designed to do a particular job with a particular lamp and providing a particular light distribution pattern. This trend has caused a number of problems for both the fixture manufacturer and the customer.

The fixture manufacturer finds it necessary to stock a large number of fixture components, many of which are quite similar to one another but yet different in some respect, in order to keep a complete line of outdoor floodlighting fixtures available for his customers. Production line changes from one fixture type to another are a common daily occurrence and this does not contribute to the efficiency of the manufacturing operations.

From the customers viewpoint, the situation leaves much to be desired. With but few exceptions, the customer usually finds that the fixture he bought for use in one application does not readily lend itself for use in another application without some adverse effect, such as loss in efficiency, insufficient quantity of light, improper light distribution pattern, etc.

In view of the foregoing, one of the principal objects of this invention is to design an outdoor floodlighting fixture, several of the key components of which are characterized by features of adjustability which permit the fixtures to be readily adapted to a number of different types of performance requirements.

Another object of this invention is to improve the flexibility and adaptability of an outdoor floodlighting fixture.

A further object of this invention is to reduce significantly the number of different xture components a manufacturer is required to stock in order to assemble and market a whole line of outdoor oodlighting fixtures.

These and other objects, advantages and features are attained in accordance with the principles of this invention by providing the lighting fixture housing with a plurality of different socket mounting arrangements to accommodate different light sources in different positions within the housing. The main refiector is readily detachable from the lighting fixture housing and a different reflector having a different beam spread characteristic may be readily substituted if desired. The housing includes a secondary reflector which is adjustable Within the housing to thereby provide additional adaptability to enable the fixture to meet a number of different performance requirements. Since the housing is designed to accommodate different light sources, special means are provided to mount the reliector on the housing in such a manner that clearance will be provided for light sources of different lengths.

3,398,270 Patented Aug. 20, 1968 ICC More particularly, a split retaining ring encircles the reflector and is pivotally supported at its split ends on a hinge secured to but offset from the periphery of the housing.

In the .specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, FIGURE 1 is a Side elevational view in section and on an enlarged scale of a lighting fixture with the main reector shown in phantom in a partially open position and clearing the light source.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the fixture of FIG- URE 1.

The specific embodiment of the lighting fixture of our invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises two basic components, a housing 2 and a main refiector 4. The truncated end of the main reflector 4 is provided with a continuous bead 6 within which a split retaining ring 8 is disposed. Three latches 10 and a hinge 12 are attached to the periphery of the open end of the housing 2. Although the hinge 12, like the latches 10, is attached to the peripheral edge of the open end of the housing 2, it will be noted that the free ends of the legs 13 thereof lie in a plane substantially offset from the plane of the peripheral edge of the housing 2. The truncated end of the main reflector 4 is seated in the open end of housing 2 and these two main components are secured to one another by the latches 10 on the housing locking with the bead 6 on the reflector 4. At the same time, the free ends of the legs 9 of the split retaining ring 8 are squeezed closer together and inserted into slots provided therefor in the free ends of the legs 13 of hinge 12. Thus when the latches 10 on the housing 2 are unlocked from their engagement with the bead 6 on the main reflector 4, the refiector may be swung to the open position as shown in phantom in FIG. 1, pivoting about the legs 13 of the hinge 12 and being supported therefrom by the hinge. A trunnion 11, pivotally mounted at 15 on the housing 2, provides the means for mounting the fixture in any desired position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the closed end of the housing 2 is provided with a plurality of pair of posts 1, 3, 5 and 7,

- of different lengths. A lamp socket 14 (FIGS. l and 2) has a strap 16 extending across the bottom thereof, said strap having slots 17 formed therein. The lamp socket 14 is secured to one pair of the pairs of posts 1, 3, 5 and 7 by screws (not shown) which are inserted through the slots 17 in the strap 16 on the bottom of the lamp socket and into the tops of the selected pair of posts. Electrical connections to the socket 14 are made by the wires 23 which enter the housing 2 through aperture 25 provided therefor.

The housing 2 is provided with a rear or auxiliary reflector 18 which is adjustable within the housing 2 and is arranged in cooperative relationship with the main reflector 4. As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the reflector 18 is substantially dish-shaped and is provided with a central aperture 19 of substantial size and through which a light source, such as lamp 20 extends. The reflector has tabs 21 extending laterally from the peripheral edge thereof. These tabs 21 have apertures therein, through which screws (not shown) may be inserted to secure the reflector 18 in a rear position attached to a ledge 22, formed in the housing 2. The reflector 18 is shown in the forward position in FIG. 1. A collar 24, having a light-reflecting surface, is fitted in the housing 2 and cooperates in the support of the auxiliary reector 1S. The collar 24 has two series of elongated slots 26 and 28 formed therein to receive the projecting tabs 21 of the reector 18. When the reflector 18 is in the forward position as shown in FIG. 1, the -tabs 21 interlock with the series of slots 26. When the reflector 18 is in the rear position, the tabs 21 interlock with the series of slots 28, and screws (not shown) extend through the apertures in the tabs to secure the reflector to the ledge 22 formed in the housing 2.

From the foregoing description of a specific embodiment, the exibility and adaptability of the lighting fixture of our invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The several pairs of posts 1, 3, 5 and 7 in the housing 2 provide a plurality of different socket mounting arrangements. Thus it is possible to locate the same light source or particular lamp type in several different positions and thus obtain several dilerent light distribution patterns with the same main reilector 4 and with the rear or auX- iliary reector 18 located in the same position. Since the main reector 4 is readily detachable from the housing 2, a different main reflector having a different beam spread characteristic may be readily substituted if desired. In addition, of course, the disposition of the rear or auxiliary reflector 18 may be adjusted within the collar 24 to provide even further adaptability.

As noted above, the lighting xture is designed to accommodate different light sources of different sizes. The oiset hinge 12 on which the main relector 4 is pivotally mounted provides a means for insuring proper clearance of the light source Within substantial length variations as the reector is opened aud closed with respect to the housing 2. The split retaining ring 8 provides a simple yet effective means for supporting the main reflector 4 from the housing 2 in the open position. This is a distinct advantage to the maintenance man since it eliminates the necessity for him to hold the reector when he opens it. 0n the other hand, if he does Wish to remove the reflector, all that is necessary is to squeeze the free ends of the legs 9 of the retaining ring 8 sufficiently to disengage them from the legs 13 of the hinge 12, the legs 9 When so freed serving as a convenient handle for carrying the reflector.

Another convenience for the installer and the maintenance man is the continuous bead 6 with which the peripheral edge of the reector 4 is provided. This bead 6 not only functions in cooperation with the retaining ring 8 as described above7 but it also provides a continuous bearing surface through 360 degrees for interlocking with the latches 10. Thus there is no necessity in assembling or reassembling the reector with the housing to line up accurately the three latches with three lugs or the like on the reliector in order to secure these members to one another.

While there has been shown and described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as dened by the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A lighting fixture comprising:

a housing having a peripheral edge and a plurality of pairs of posts of diierent lengths upstanding therein; means in said housing for supporting a light source, in-

cluding a socket and means for attaching said socket to any selected pair of said posts whereby said light source may be mounted at ditferent positions within said housing;

a reflector;

a hinge mounted on the peripheral edge of said housing and oset therefrom;

and means for pivotally supporting said reliector from said offset hinge.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said means for pivotally supporting said reector from said offset hinge comprises a split retaining ring encircling said reector near the peripheral edge thereof, said ring having a pair of offset legs interlocking with said offset hinge.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,472,894 11/ 1923 Vallee et al. 240--44-.2 1,880,399 10/1932 Benjamin 24U-44.2 3,149,785 9/1964 Appleton 240-3 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

W. SIVERTSON, Assistant Examiner. 

